Shopping & Services

March 25 -- Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, Lowell Area Schools, and our exclusive business sponsor, R & K Roadside Service, proudly present the 21st Annual Lowell Area Community Expo on Saturday, March 25. This is one of the choice networking opportunities the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce offers our businesses, churches, schools, municipalities and organizations. The Expo is held at Lowell High School, 11700 Vergennes Street, in both gyms, café, plus the hallways from 9:00am to 3:00pm. This offers an excellent opportunity for the community to increase their awareness of the products and services provided and/or manufactured in the greater Lowell area. Exhibitors also gain the opportunity to develop sales, sales leads and customer contacts.

Crystal Carpet Care Inc. of Grand Rapids is going to donate 100% of their profits from any residential or commercial cleaning or restoration job scheduled in February or March when the client mentions the Offrink Fund.

KENT COUNTY, Mich.—Many Chase Bank customers will have to travel farther to attend to their accounts in person.

At least a dozen Chase Bank branches at Meijer stores are closing, after both companies agreed to cut ties. In a response sent to WZZM 13, a spokesperson for Meijer says “circumstances have changed and we mutually agreed to end the relationship.” The decision comes just a couple years after Meijer announced Huntington Bank branches would be opening at some of its stores.

LOWELL, Mich.—While many people are focused on the winter storm hitting West Michigan, The Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce is already looking ahead to warmer times, when the Lowell Area Farmers’ Market will return.

Organizers say changes are coming to the farmers’ market. The market is moving to a new mid-town location, in the shaded public parking lot at the corner of Monroe and Avery streets, behind Lowell City Hall. The new site will offer shoppers a chance to check out the Riverwalk, Englehardt Public Library and the nearby playground, as well as downtown stores and restaurants. Parking and restrooms are also close by.

The Lowell Area Farmers’ Market will also have new hours, on Thursdays from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., so more people can visit after work. The 2015 market season will run from June 11 through Sept. 24, with a bonus market day on Saturday, Oct. 10.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.--- Consumers in West Michigan are more optimistic about what 2015 will bring.

In fact, consumers in this market are the most optimistic in the region, according to a new study released by Huntington Bank. The financial firm found local residents say they are much more likely to buy a new vehicle this year; 17 percent said they plan to purchase a new car, compared to just four percent in 2014.

Home improvement stores may also be busy; 47-percent of West Michiganders surveyed for the Huntington Bank Midwest Economic Index said they were planning some home renovations for 2015, compared to 32 percent in 2014.

WALKER, Mich.—Christmas came early to 213 Meijer shoppers, who received a checkout surprise.

On Dec. 13, the Walker-based retailer paid for all of the gifts and groceries filling each shopper’s cart, ranging from $350 to $1,200 each. The company posted video of the event on YouTube, which you can find here.

“The holidays are a time for kindness and joy, and the Very Merry Meijer event was a perfect opportunity for us to share the spirit of the season with those we hold dear: our customers,” Co-Chairman Hank Meijer said. “Our family has always believed that our customers don’t need us, but that we need them. That philosophy still guides us today. We are very thankful for our customers, and wanted to find a special way to wish them a very Merry Christmas.”